Early Morning
Kaiyo came home at dawn, and was met with an interesting, but not uncommon, scene.
She had just taken off her cloak and shoes, and stumbled into the kitchen intending to get something to drink before collapsing on the couch, when she nearly tripped over Isaac. He peeked up at her through his claws, eyes blown wide and silent.
“Long night?” She hummed, tip toeing around him while getting a glass of water. He nodded, scooting over to the side to try and avoid her path as much as possible.
“I broke into Ezil Parrish’s bedroom within the castle walls. I accidentally lost myself momentarily, and he recognized me as the individual who stole Rowdy’s body from the execution.” Isaac rasped, curling up to try and occupy as little space as possible. Kaiyo felt herself let out a long, drawn out sigh. “And, since the public was lead to believe Cheri of the Dolofonias did that, he likely knows I am a Dolofonia. And he knows his new partner, Rentaro, is also a Dolofonia. So, basically, there is a significant chance I may have ruined that little alliance last night. Immediately after it was formed.”
“I doubt that.” Kaiyo stated simply, slowly sitting on the floor across from Isaac. She took a slow sip of her water, regarding him with dark eyes. “We have a bit of a reputation for being strange, among other things. I’m sure Sir Parrish was just as aware of the rumors about us, as we were him.” She paused, tilting her head a bit, gaze unblinking, as some of her dark green hair slipped across her face. She made no move to brush it aside. “Is that childish bout of anxiety the cause behind your inability to hide your true self once more? Is that why your eyes are still open?”
“I suppose, yes.” Isaac squinted at her through his fingers, before lowering them. He then kept his focus elsewhere, avoiding eye contact. He had an extra set of eyes under his normal two, as well as another on his forehead, and one in the center of his throat. They had not always been there, he wasn’t born with them, they simply appeared one day. He didn’t know why, or why his teeth had suddenly split his mouth open as well. Overnight, he had become a monster. It wasn't always apparent, his mouth had healed, and if he willed the extra eyes to disappear they usually would. Other times he’d sew them shut. “I’m tired of this.” He sighed, kneading his hands together, running his thumbs over his comfortingly familiar scars. Kaiyo watched him, analyzing his every move. She was worried he’d disappear if she blinked, or that he’d lose himself to his magic once again. He seldom let himself get so lax as to allow his extra eyes to tear themselves open, and it was a sign that he was nearing a very dangerous line, getting closer and closer to crossing it. He was dialed up to ten in every way when such a thing happened, all too sensitive, all too raw.
“... Would you like me to fix you up, Isaac?” She asked softly, reaching out and placing a finger under his chin to gently tilt his head up. He needed to know someone was capable of looking at him in such a state. That she did not think what so many others thought. She did not smile sadly, or allow her expression to soften in any other notable way, lest her gesture seem one of pity and false emotion. Kaiyo was not a soft hearted woman, and Isaac knew this. He allowed his eyes to meet hers, both stares devoid of warmth, devoid of anything that would’ve made them human. They felt a sort of connection, in moments like these. He may not be normal, but neither was she.
It wasn’t much, but it was enough. It was enough.
Nepthys awoke earlier than usual, only to find Isaac freshly sewn up and preparing breakfast, and Kaiyo curled up on the couch.
He decided to pester Isaac, a cranky Kaiyo was the last thing anyone needed.
“Well? How was it? Did you find anything incriminating?” Nep asked, sliding up next to Isaac with a brow quirked. He didn’t really wanna ask why he had to get all sealed up again, figured Isaac was probably embarrassed about losing his cool again. Plus, he’d told Nep before that it was always overwhelming when his other eyes opened. His senses would become super enhanced, he’d see things about people he didn’t always wanna know. Like, their dark pasts and fears and stuff. So, part of him thought, well, maybe Isaac did that deliberately, to get a better read on Ezil! That would’ve been pretty genius, in his personal opinion!
“Good morning to you, too, Nep.” Isaac sighed, glancing at him out of the corner of his eye. Nepthys loved the way he said his name, all soft and nick-namey. He didn’t call anyone else by any sort of a nickname. “It wasn’t anything special. Some old love letters, pictures of his family, normal stuff.”
“Hm…” Nepthys stroked his chin, leaning back against the counter. “Y’Know, Ren said Parrish seemed normal, too. Apparently, Quella called him The Star! Isn’t that neat?” He paused, batting his lashes a bit. “Not as cool as you being The Devil, of course. Very dark and mysterious, I love that. It suits you, in my opinion!”
Isaac blinked at him slowly, head tilted to the side like a confused puppy. “Thanks… I guess…?”
Nepthys was about to continue talking, as he always does, when Ren appeared in the doorway, pajamas wrinkled and hair an untamed mess. He was looking at Nepthys like one would look at a child screaming at the market, expression unsure if he wanted to feel pity or annoyance. “Dude.” He rasped, voice half awake. “Isn’t it a little early for this? Are you trying to get him to overcook our eggs?”
Isaac jolted, quickly turning back to cooking, mumbling a quiet curse. Nepthys smiled innocently at Ren, a bit strained. It was difficult enough to get Isaac’s attention, and here Ren was, stumbling in and sweeping it away. Nep didn’t know why he wanted Isaac’s attention so badly, but he did! And it wasn’t fair that he wasn’t getting his fill of it! “Good morning, Ren. Sleep well?”
“Yeah.” He huffed, chuckling softly. “Did you? Or, were you unable to get a wink, without pretty boy over there tucking you in?” Ren stretched his arms above his head, before hopping up and sitting on one of the more out of the way countertops.
“Pretty boy? Really? Tch.” Nepthys scoffed, flipping his hair over his shoulder. “I slept perfectly fine, thank you! I am, in fact, capable of sleeping without Isaac present. I went how many years without him by my side? Of course I can sleep without him!” He huffed, slapping Ren’s thigh. Ren didn’t even wince.
“How old are you, again?” Isaac asked, scooping the eggs he had fried out and onto a plate, ignoring everything else that was just said. “Oh, if you don’t mind my asking, of course.”
“That’s not important, don’t worry about it.” Nepthys hummed, spinning around to face the redhead with a cheeky grin. “You’re only twenty two, yeah? Isn’t your birthday coming up in a few months?”
“Yeah, and yeah.” Isaac hummed, tilting his head a bit. “It’s shortly after Verita’s Day, in February.”
“Sometimes I forget how young you are, dude.” Ren sighed, leaning back. “You’re, like, a tiny little baby wh–”
“Don’t you have to be getting ready for a date? Ezil Parrish?” Isaac cut in with a huff, handing Ren a plate full of food. Ren blanched, taking the plate.
“It’s not a date, but– How did you even know about that…?” Ren mumbled, eating with fervor. He should know better than to ask Isaac how he knows things, it’s as foolish as asking Quella the same question. The two were cut from eerily similar cloths.
“Hm. Not important, but don’t be late. He quite values punctuality, at least as a quality in those close to him.” Isaac laughed softly, handing Nepthys a plate as well. Nepthys sat at the island and waited for Isaac to join him, before the two of them shared the food, as they always did. Eating together, sleeping in the same bed, wearing each other’s clothes. It was simply what they did, ever since Isaac joined them three years ago.
Ren ended up being a half an hour late. He had been supposed to meet Ezil at the castle gates, at ten. Ezil had arrived at around nine-thirty, just in case Ren arrived early as he did the day prior.
He had been wrong.
He was dressed in a simple white gown, one that fell from his shoulders softly, as well as a sturdy black cloak, trimmed in dainty lace. He typically put a bit more effort into his appearance, but felt as if doing so with Ren would make him seem too naive and pompous, and, for whatever reason, he did not want Ren to think badly of him.
When Ren did eventually arrive, he was wearing a simple black tunic and trousers, a hefty sword strapped haphazardly to his back. His hair was tied back in a loose, sloppy braid, uneven and falling over his left shoulder. Ezil, somehow, found his sloppiness endearing.
Not endearing enough to save him from a lengthy scolding, though.